Brace Yourself For The Cascade of Proposals Happening This Week

‘Tis the season of popping the question, so get ready for your social media feeds to be filled with the not-so-surprising Christmas and New Year’s Eve proposal pictures. Of course, proposals are usually something to celebrate alongside loved ones, so it certainly makes sense that the holidays lend to that convenience. But please spare the internet of the mistletoe-stocking-stuffer-ring-hidden-in-the-gingerbread-house-Santa-Claus proposal pictures. They’re not that interesting.

People are naturally using social media way more often during the holiday season. Not only are we off of our normal work hours, but we want to share what we’re doing with families and friends. Unfortunately, unless intensely curated (read: avoided entirely), there’s no way to escape the inevitable cascade of Christmas and New Year’s Eve proposal pictures. There’s nothing quite like promoted social media happiness, am I right?

Look, everyone’s Instagram feed is already going to be filled with festive perfect-looking backdrops of parties, bright lights, family gatherings, and goofy matching pajama pictures. Do we really need to add proposals on top of what already is a super sweet and cheesy time of the year anyway? Maybe you disagree, but I just don’t find it all that interesting when people leverage Santa Claus for what should be a personal and intimate moment between two adults.

Between all of the sugar, alcohol, and cozy fires, the holidays are sappy enough on their own. Proposing during this time of year is just like putting cotton candy on top of an already-stacked ice cream sundae. Popping the question on significant calendar days (Christmas, New Year’s Eve, a birthday, etc) just makes me think that either you or your partner need something extra magical to make the moment “Instagrammable enough.” Unfortunately, I guess sentiment goes out the door when social media is involved. It’s no longer about the moment. It’s about the moment AFTER the moment where we get to share what happened to us with the masses. Sure, most people are going to see the photo and not the event itself — but doesn’t it all just kind of cheapen the actual beauty of a proposal? Cue a big ole eye roll from me.

Christmas proposals have the same aesthetic of sequin-gloved jazz hands: A little cringe-y, and definitely unnecessary 99% of the time. All judgments aside (which, let’s be honest, there are way too many to get into here), there’s always hopping love lasts… but if it doesn’t, that couple will forever have the holiday season scarred with a memory of “what once was.” Can you imagine having that to add that load to the already-difficult family dinners? “Hey, sorry Brian broke off the engagement… but can you pass the casserole this way?” Nobody needs that on top of a naturally emotionally charged time of year.

Here’s a piece of advice from a single gal with no proposal experience whatsoever (hence, take it or leave it — I really don’t care): save a proposal for an otherwise-normal day. There’s something kind of cool about making a random rainy Wednesday in April, or a chilly Friday night in October, a forever-day to remember. Let’s let the holidays have their separate magic. Unless that over-the-top, flash-mob, half-time court proposal shit is your thing. In that case, you do you. But the internet and I will be here to judge you. .

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Katie is 27 and is from Nashville, TN but lives in Los Angeles, CA as an actress, comedian, writer, and marketing manager. Although some might disagree, she likely peaked when she had dinner with Randy Jackson and he called her “dude” a lot. You can see her active on the Twitterverse at @KECallaway or you can also follow her new Insta at @KatieCallaway even though she hates Instagram.

Anyone who proposes on Christmas is attention seeking and has ego issues. No need to sideswipe everyone’s holiday by trying to shine the light on yourself. You want to do it on NYE? Have at it, it’s my least favorite holiday.

Gentlemen (Will): never propose on a holiday such a Christmas or her birthday (even an anniversary). If things go south the ring will be deemed a gift and therefore she gets to keep. If you propose on a random day you should get it back or at least half the value.

Not necessarily. It depends on the state. Source: I have an aunt who got married in one state, moved to another, got divorced in another and when it came time to figure out who kept the ring in the divorce, the state laws varied.